World Cup winner and Oval Invincibles batter Fran Wilson has signed with Western Storm for the 2022 season.
It’s been a busy month for Wilson after announcing her retirement from international cricket last month, with the 30-year-old finding it difficult to cement a place in the starting XI.
Wilson who has been a key part of Sunrisers since the domestic restructure in 2020 will also receive a full-time regional contract and become Storm’s seventh contracted player.
The move sees her return to familiar settings, having achieved previous success with Western Storm during the Kia Super league (having won the KSL trophy in 2017 & 2019).
Having batted up and down the order during her career, Wilson feels her best position is in the top four and having the opportunity to do so under Mark O’Leary’s side was an offer she couldn’t refuse.
Wilson told The Cricketer: “It was very much a decision based on what’s going to get the most out of my cricket at this point,
I’ve now recognised that getting time in the middle and batting high in the order is the most important thing for me.
Being settled as well, to get the most out of my ability. I didn’t see that happening in the England side over the next couple of years, so it made the decision for me. I’m a cricketer and I want to get better; I don’t need to be training anymore, I just need to be in the middle. It’s really great that there is that opportunity for me now at domestic level.
“Being able to go out and be in an environment where I can play my best role, I’m looking forward to excelling and scoring lots of runs.”
During her England career, Wilson who’s regarded as one of the best fielders in the game, represented her country in 64 appearances across the three formats with her last cap coming in New Zealand in March and was part of the side that won the World Cup in 2017.
Wilson was also part of the Oval Invincibles side who won the inaugural The Hundred women’s trophy in a thumping 48 run win against Southern Brave.
Before the domestic restructure, there were very limited opportunities for international players once they’d retired. However, with the addition of regional contracts it means that you’re still able to play professionally despite not being an international.
2022 looks to be an exciting year for Fran with her new side in the West Country and the second edition of the hundred, where she and Oval Invincibles will be looking to retain the trophy after last years success.
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